Head Alignment Eyewear Devices for Sports Applications and Methods of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

An optical viewing device, consisting of glasses, goggles, visor or other head-worn device, comprised of a vertical aperture, or apertures, designed to limit an athlete&#39;s visual field of view and increase the user&#39;s focus on the ball position. In this manner, the athlete&#39;s eye to ball alignment is enhanced, leading to reduced head movements during use. The improved performance is directly enhanced by the improved eye-ball alignment and reduced head movement during the sporting activity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates eyewear devices and systems for sportsapplications and methods of using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In nearly all sport activities that use a ball, the need for eye-handcoordination and eye-ball alignment are critical features for success.Many international sports require the use of a ball and some examples ofthese sports are golf, baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, football,cricket and others. In many of these sports, the ability to focus on theball or other object(s) is essential for success and athletes oftenrefer to their successful performance and results as “seeing the ball”well.

Methods for training athletes normally require significant hours ofpractice and years of activity to reach high levels of success. For mostweekend athletes, devoting numerous hours to the sport of their choiceis difficult at best, and thus, their performance in the sport cansuffer; poor performance often results in reduced activity and a lack ofdesire to compete in that sport.

Methods for rapidly training young athletes with high potential,professional athletes and ‘weekend’ athletes equally have significantcommercial potential. Any device or method that enhances athleticperformance can significantly enhance the player's experience and desireto continue to pursue that sport. This is especially true for youngathletes and weekend athletes.

New devices and unique methods are often required to increase athleticperformance, regardless of the specific sport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to eyewear devices and methods of using the sameto assist users enhance their sports abilities.

One embodiment of the invention relates to an eyewear device comprising:

-   -   (i) an eyewear frame;    -   (ii) a right lens and a left lens attached to the eyewear frame;        and    -   (iii) an adjustment assembly,

wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprise at least onetransparent region within the lens providing an optically differentiatedfield of view or limited optical field of view there through and whereinthe adjustment assembly is adapted to horizontally adjust each of the atleast one transparent region to align with a user's eye pupils andinter-pupillary distance.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to an eyewear devicecomprising:

(a) an eyewear frame; and

(b) a right lens and a left lens attached to the eyewear frame;

wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprise at least onetransparent region within the lens providing an optically differentiatedfield of view (or limited optical field of view) there through to alignwith a user's eye pupils and inter-pupillary distance.

Another embodiment relates to an eyewear device comprising an eyewearframe supporting a right lens and a left lens, wherein the right lensand the left lens each include at least one transparent region that canbe horizontally adjusted to align with the inter-pupillary distance of auser and thereby provide an optically differentiated field of view forthe user through each of the at least one transparent region.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to an eyewear devicecomprising:

-   -   (i) an eyewear frame;    -   (ii) a right lens and a left lens attached to the eyewear frame;        and    -   (iii) an adjustment assembly for each lens, each adjustment        assembly comprising a movable component adapted to hold each        lens,

wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprise at least onetransparent region providing an optically differentiated field of viewthere through and wherein each movable component is adapted tohorizontally adjust each lens thereby aligning each transparent regionwith a user's eye pupils.

Another embodiment relates to a lens assembly for an eyewear system, thelens assembly including a right transparent vertical viewing region anda left transparent vertical viewing region, wherein the righttransparent viewing region and the left transparent viewing region areconfigured to be horizontally adjusted to align with a user's eye pupilsand inter-pupillary spacing. Preferably, each transparent verticalviewing region is centered within the left and right lens of the eyewearsystem.

Another embodiment relates to an eyewear device comprising a right lensand a left lens, wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprisea vertically aligned transparent regions providing an opticallydifferentiated field of view there through, wherein the verticallyaligned transparent regions comprises at least three vertically alignedtransparent regions.

The foregoing has outlined some of the aspects of the present invention.These objects should be construed as being merely illustrative of someof the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Manyother beneficial results can be obtained by modifying the embodimentswithin the scope of the invention. Accordingly other objects and a fullunderstanding of the invention may be had by referring to this summaryof the invention, the detailed description describing the preferredembodiments in addition to the scope of the invention defined by theclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The uniquefeatures characteristic of this invention and operation will beunderstood more easily with the description and drawings. It is to beunderstood that the drawings are for illustration and description butdoes not define the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The abovementioned and other features of the inventions disclosed hereinare described below with reference to the drawings of the preferredembodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, butnot to limit the inventions. The drawings contain the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a full side view of one embodiment of an eyewear device forimproved athlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eyemovement, increased focus on the ball, and improved performance.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a disassembled eyewear device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of the eyewear device forimproved athlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eyemovement, increased focus on the ball, and improved performance.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a disassembled eyewear device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of another embodiment of the eyewear device forimproved athlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eyemovement, increased focus on the ball, and improved performance.

FIG. 6A shows a front view of another embodiment of the eyewear devicefor improved athlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eyemovement, increased focus on the ball, and improved performance

FIG. 6B shows a side view of a disassembled eyewear device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C shows a rear view of a disassembled eyewear device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is side view of a design of an eyewear device for improvedathlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eye movement,increased focus on the ball, and improved performance.

FIG. 7B is a front view of the design of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a back view of the design of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a left-side view of the design of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a right-side view of the design of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is side view of another design of an eyewear device for improvedathlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eye movement,increased focus on the ball, and improved performance.

FIG. 8B is a front view of the design of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a back view of the design of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a left-side view of the design of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E is a right-side view of the design of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is side view of another design of an eyewear device for improvedathlete-ball alignment, reduced head movement and/or eye movement,increased focus on the ball, and improved performance.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the design of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a back view of the design of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9D is a left-side view of the design of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9E is a right-side view of the design of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The abovementioned and other features of the invention disclosed hereinare described below with reference to the drawings of the preferredembodiments. While the present description sets forth specific detailsof various embodiments, it will be noted that the description isillustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting.

DEFINITIONS

“Transparent” refers to either an opening or a transparent material. Forexample, a “see-through” section or opening within each lens or the useof a highly transparent material within a lens.

“Horizontal” refers to the horizontal direction when the eyewear is worn(e.g., from the left lens to the right lens). For example, the verticalslits 15 shown in FIG. 1 are oriented perpendicular to horizontal (e.g.,the slits are vertically oriented).

The invention relates to eyewear devices and methods of using the sameto assist users enhance or improve the user's sports or athleticabilities.

In many athletic sports, the athlete needs to make contact with the ballwithin a critical striking region or “sweet spot”. This can bechallenging given the reduced hours of practice combined with normaldistractions that cause the athlete to move his head and lose eyecontact to ‘the ball’. Methods for increasing the optical focus of theathlete have been described by others, but with limited actual success.In many cases, the athlete moves his head to “track the flight” or pathof the ball, thereby decreasing his focus on the ball during the‘striking process’. Thus, the athlete loses optical focus on the balland inadvertently causes a poor ‘strike’ with non-optimal flight of theball. In golf, this is often seen as a ‘miss’ of the putt, errant swingon the open fairway or ‘topping’ the ball during the act of ‘driving’.

Methods that help to train an athlete or to enhance the athlete's focuson the ball, therefore, can increase the player's success in ‘cleanly’striking the ball and sending the ball on a more preferred trajectory tothe target. In golf, this increased focus on the ball steadies thegolfer's head, resulting in a better swing, cleaner contact of the balland a better path to the desired target. Similar results might beexpected in baseball, cricket, and tennis where the player uses a ‘bat’or racket to directly contact the ball in flight. Increased eye-ballalignment and subsequent reduced head movement and/or eye movement arecommon requirements for many sports involving a player and a ball.

Methods or devices that restrict the athlete's view and help to focusthe athlete's eyes on the ball, therefore, may result in better overallperformance and higher achievement within that sport. Herein, a deviceand method for increasing an athlete's optical focus and opticalalignment with the ball, by limiting the athlete's field of viewing, aredescribed. In general, the device described herein can take severalforms as might be expected by one skilled in the art of optical devices,such as glasses, goggles, visors, and headgear worn by the athlete toprovide increased visual acuity during all sporting activities.

In human visual applications, the pupillary distance (PD) orinter-pupillary distance (IPD) is the distance, measured in millimeters,between the centers of the pupils in each eye. This distance is measuredwhen preparing to make prescription eyeglasses. Positioning lensescorrectly in relation to the center of the pupils is especiallyimportant for good optical viewing and visual acuity. It can also berelevant, for example, to binoculars that must be adjusted to bettersuit the user's IPD. Without the ability to align the viewing lens tothe pupillary distance, the optical alignment when viewing a specificobject may result in double images (double vision) or blurred vision.

In the prior art, golf glasses are disclosed in US Patent PublicationNo. 20120258814 to Kayama (hereby incorporated by reference), but theglasses as described as being useful for positional alignment of theplayer to the ball. Although an athlete's body position to the ball isimportant, it is more critical that the player's eye to ball alignmentand head and eye movements are restricted during the act of contactingthe ball (swing). By providing a limited viewing region, that isadjustable to the user's inter-pupillary distance, the optical view maybe optimized leading to improved visual alignment and reduced head andeye movements. This has not specifically been described in the prior artof Kayama.

The present invention relates to a low-cost and simple approach toproviding a device with the means for both the active and passiveassistance of an athlete's eye alignment to the ball used in a givensporting activity. By restricting the athlete's field of view, theoptical device of the invention provides an improved method for theathlete to visually focus on the ball, the eye to ball alignment, andthe relative head-ball positioning. By limiting the field of opticalview, an increased ability to focus or “see” the ball is achieved andthus, helps to steady the athlete's head movements. In this manner, thelimited optical view leads to an improved ‘strike’ of the ball andbetter resulting performance within that sport. The device of theinvention provides the athlete with a decreased field of view, forcingan increased visual alignment with the ball, leading to betterperformance in that sport.

One aspect of the invention relates to the use of small apertures in theathlete's vision path to assist in aligning the player's vision to theball. By using small optical apertures, the player's vision is limitedto the field of view and focus on the ball, thereby forcing thealignment of the player's eye to the ball. In this manner, the athletecan be either trained to focus on the ball, as a new player, orencouraged to focus more intently on the position of the ball, as anaccomplished or professional athlete.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an eyewear device 10 according to oneembodiment of the invention including conventional eyewear componentsfaceplate 11, temple pieces or arms 12 and lens 13. Eyewear device 10further includes a slit aperture 15 in each lens 13 (preferably centeredfor alignment with the user's pupils) according to the invention adaptedor configured to allow the user to improve the user's focus on an object(e.g., a golf ball) according to the invention. Preferably, eyeweardevice 10 includes an adjustment assembly including lens adjustment dial17 and adjustment assembly component 18 that allows the lens 13 to beadjusted by the user to move the slit apertures 15 to align to improvethe user's focus on the object (not shown). Lens 13 is preferablyattached to adjustment assembly, directly or indirectly, via lensattachment component 16 which attaches to the lens via screws, plugs,glue, mechanically (e.g., snap-on mechanism) or other means forattaching and lens attachment component 16 moves when lens adjustmentdial 17 is turned. Preferably, the movement of the lens 13 by theadjustment assembly reversibly locks the lens in place after eachmovement. Preferably, the lens adjustment dial 17 can be turnedincrementally and preferably clicks with each incremental movement tohelp the user make small adjustments.

FIG. 2. is a dissembled side view of the eyewear device 10 of FIG. 1showing disassembled lens adjustment platform 19 which is configured tobe attached to the lens 13.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an eyewear piece 30 according to anotherembodiment of the invention having an adjustment dial 37 located in thefront of the frame and lens attachment component 36 and lens adjustmentassembly component 38.

FIG. 4 is a dissembled view of the eyewear device 30 of FIG. 3 showinglens adjustment platform 39. Alternative embodiments of the inventionincluding devices with the adjustment dials configured on the side ofthe frame, the back of the frame or the bottom of the frame. Lensattachment component 36 may be attached to the lens via plugs, screws,using VELCRO, glue, mechanically, magnetically or other means.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an eyewear piece 50 according to anotherembodiment of the invention having an adjustment component 51 and lensapertures 55. Adjustment component 51 can either comprise a dial that isturned to move the lens, a handle that is moved along a track by theuser or other mechanism for moving the lens or moving the apertures 55within the lens. Lens apertures 55 are shown with three vertical holesto provide an optically differentiated field of view for each lensaccording to the invention. Eyewear piece 50 optionally includes aremovable temple piece pad 56 to improve comfort. Alternativeembodiments may include two or more holes, square openings, rectangularopenings, oval openings, triangular openings or the like. Alternatively,a material have a different transparency is used to provide theoptically differentiated field of view for each lens.

According to another aspect of the invention, several apertures arevertically aligned to encourage the player's field of view and visualfocus on the ball, prior to a ‘strike’ or contact with the object(ball). By forcing the player's vision within a limited field of view,as defined by the set of vertical apertures, the player is forced tofocus only on the ball and it's positional location to the athlete.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a narrow vertical slit isprovided within the player's viewing zone. The player is forced to viewthe ball within the narrow viewing zone or slit, thereby forcing visualalignment to the ball. Once the visual alignment is achieved by theplayer, via the focus of his eyes on the ball, the head of the athleteis also forced to align with the position of the ball. Any head and/oreye movements by the athlete may result in the loss of visual alignmentto the ball. This limited field of visual focus, therefore, results indecreased head and/or eye movements and subsequently, improvedperformance during the strike on the ball.

According to a fourth aspect, optical clarity can be achieved by usingoptical color differences within the optical device, that allows theathlete to view the ‘sweet’ spot for viewing the ball. Color differencescan be achieved by pigment changes in the optical device or by usingpolarized regions with the viewing optics. Thus, the use of colors,polarizers or other optical means for achieving optical differentiation,can be used in the optical device by known techniques, especially tothose skilled in the art of optics and visual viewing devices.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the optical deviceconsists of glasses, goggles, bifocals, sunglasses, a viewing visor, ahead visor or eyepiece that can be worn on the athlete's head. Manydifferent styles can be envisioned by those skilled in the art ofproducing optical viewing devices, as described herein and in the priorart. A key element of the invention is that the optical device containsa defined zone for enhanced optical viewing and improved visualalignment on an object used in that sporting activity.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the means for creatingzones of optical differentiation can be achieved by use of an outerelement (bi-layer), and inner element (bi-layer), or a region within asingle element of construction, within the glasses, goggles, visor,eyepiece or optical device, as known or envisioned by those skilled inthe art.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the device apertures canbe used to train new athletes, junior athletes, young athletes, weekendathletes, professional athletes and accomplished athletes with aninterest in learning, refining or improving their ability within thatspecific sport. Further, the object of the invention can be used for anysport, but is anticipated to have wide acceptance in golf, tennis andbaseball, and sports where eye-hand and eye to ball alignment are key toachieving success in that sport.

According to an eighth aspect of the current invention, the user wearsglasses with six small apertures within the field of view (three on theright eye lens, three on the left eye lens). The wearer can adjust theposition of each lens by moving horizontally (left or right), toincrease the alignment of the apertures to their own individualpupillary distance (distance between the two pupils) until the sixapertures merge into one field of view to the wearer. This action issimilar to that used in binoculars and known to those skilled in theart. When used in the sport of golf, the golfer stands over the golfball, aligns the apertures to achieve a single view of the ball withinthe apertures. Movement of the golfer's head, after alignment of theapertures, will result in the loss of viewing alignment to the ball.This optical device, therefore, can be used for teaching, training, orin actual sports competition, and encourages the golfer to maintain hishead in a “locked” position during the golf swing.

For athletes, either during training, in practice sessions, or duringactual competition, the device improves eye to ball alignment, reduceshead movement and/or eye movement, and increases the likelihood of a‘clean’ ball strike. In golf, the device can be used especially inputting, chipping, and driving shots, where slight head movements resultin poor ball flight and reduced performance. In one embodiment of thisinvention, the optical viewing device is a pair of shaded glasses withthree vertical holes in each lens. In a second embodiment of theinvention, the optical viewing device is a pair of shaded glasses withnarrow vertical slits in each lens. In each embodiment, both the leftand right viewing lenses can slide horizontally, thereby allowingadjustment of the inter-pupillary distance of the viewing regions to theuser's head and specific pupil spacing distance. When theinter-pupillary spacing distance has been optimized, the eye to ballalignment sharpens in acuity and requires the athlete to restrict hishead movement to maintain that visual alignment to the ball.

Thus, one embodiment of the invention relates to an eyewear devicecomprising:

-   -   (i) an eyewear frame;    -   (ii) a right lens and a left lens attached to the eyewear frame;        and    -   (iii) an adjustment assembly,

wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprise at least onetransparent region within the lens providing an optically differentiatedfield of view (or limited optical field of view) there through andwherein the adjustment assembly is adapted to horizontally adjust eachof the at least one transparent region to align with a user's eye pupilsand inter-pupillary distance.

Preferably, the at least one transparent region has an opticaltransmission which is clearly differentiated from the rest of the lensand preferably centered within the lens. This can be achieved by anopening (no material), a vertical series of openings, a change inmaterial with varying optical properties or a region of differentoptical density within one material. Alternately, a differenttransparent color is used to differentiate the transparent region fromthe rest of the lens. The purpose of the regions for each lens is tofocus the wearer's eyes on an object (e.g., golf ball) to control, forexample, the wearer's head and/or eye movement. The use of transparentor different color regions within the center of each lens allows theuser to focus the user's sight on a single object.

According to an alternative embodiment, vertical, circular or relatedlines or markings on each lens are configured to align the users eyeswith the ball object.

Preferably, the regions can be adjusted. However, according toalternative embodiments, the spacing of the regions is set and sized forcertain users. Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention relatesto an eyewear device comprising: (a) an eyewear frame; and (b) a rightlens and a left lens attached to the eyewear frame; wherein the rightlens and the left lens each comprise at least one transparent regionwithin the lens providing an optically differentiated field of view (orlimited optical field of view) there through to align with a user's eyepupils and inter-pupillary distance.

Another embodiment relates to an eyewear device comprising an eyewearframe supporting a right lens and a left lens, wherein the right lensand the left lens each include at least one transparent region that canbe horizontally adjusted to align with the inter-pupillary distance of auser and thereby provide an optically differentiated field of view forthe user through each of the at least one transparent region.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to an eyewear devicecomprising:

-   -   (i) an eyewear frame;    -   (ii) a right lens and a left lens attached to the eyewear frame;        and    -   (iii) an adjustment assembly for each lens, each adjustment        assembly comprising a movable, preferably slidable, component        adapted to hold each lens,

wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprise at least onetransparent region providing an optically differentiated field of viewthere through and wherein each movable component is adapted tohorizontally adjust each lens thereby aligning each transparent regionwith a user's eye pupils.

Another embodiment relates to a lens assembly for an eyewear system, thelens assembly including a right transparent vertical viewing region anda left transparent vertical viewing region, wherein the righttransparent viewing region and the left transparent viewing region areconfigured to be horizontally adjusted to align with a user's eye pupilsand inter-pupillary spacing. Preferably, each transparent verticalviewing region is centered within the left and right lens of the eyewearsystem.

Preferably, the spacing can be adjusted and “locked in” for individuals.That is, the spacing between the transparent regions adjusted and thenreversibly locked in place allowing for future adjustments.

Another embodiment relates to an eyewear device comprising a right lensand a left lens, wherein the right lens and the left lens each comprisea vertically aligned transparent regions providing an opticallydifferentiated field of view there through, wherein the verticallyaligned transparent regions comprises at least three vertically alignedtransparent regions.

The embodiments of the invention can be advantageously modified toprovide additional benefits according to the following preferredembodiments.

According to one preferred embodiment, the eyewear device furthercomprises an adjustment assembly to horizontally adjust each transparentregion. Preferably, the adjustment assembly comprises an adjustmentturning dial to move each lens horizontally. Preferably, the adjustmentassembly comprises a sliding mechanism to move each lens horizontally.Preferably, the adjustment assembly allows the adjustment to reversiblylock in place, specifically, the user can adjust the lens to the regionsare spaced apart at a certain distance and that adjustment is held inplace until the assembly is adjusted again by the user.

According to another preferred embodiment, the right lens and the leftlens can each slide to align with the user's eye pupils.

According to another preferred embodiment, the right lens and the leftlens are opaque except for the transparent region.

According to another preferred embodiment, the right lens and the leftlens are shaded except for the transparent region.

According to another preferred embodiment, the right lens and the leftlens comprises color variable polarization materials adapted to generatethe transparent regions.

According to another preferred embodiment, each transparent regioncomprises a vertical slit or at least two vertically aligned transparentregions.

According to alternative embodiments, the transparent regions arereplaced or used with markings on the lens to facilitate a user's headalignment.

According to another preferred embodiment, each transparent region canbe adjusted to the user's inter-pupillary spacing distance for optimalvisual alignment.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device is configured toenhance the user's eye to ball visual alignment achieved by thetransparent regions in the user's viewing field of vision.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device is configured tobe worn by the user to enhance the eye to ball alignment and steady theuser's head position during use and to reduce the amount of the user'shead and/or eye movements.

According to another preferred embodiment, each transparent regioncomprises two or more vertical transparent apertures used to align theuser's eye to the a ball used in a sporting activity.

According to another preferred embodiment, each transparent region iscomprised of transparent regions having a shape selected from the groupconsisting of spheres, ovals, circles, squares, rectangles, triangles ornarrow slits providing specific regions for eye-ball alignment by theuser.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device is configured toenhance the user's athletic training and performance for a sportingactivity by wearing the eyewear device during the performance of thatsporting activity.

According to another preferred embodiment, the inter-pupillary distanceof the transparent regions can be independently adjusted to fit theuser's pupil distance, allowing a clear single image of the ball,thereby providing increased eye-ball alignment and decreased head andeye movement to the user.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions onboth lenses are narrow vertical slits that can be independently alignedthrough horizontal movement to provide an optimized inter-pupillarydistance for a user of the optical device.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions arefrom 1-50 millimeters in height and 1-20 millimeters in width, morepreferably 10-40 millimeters in height and 1-10 millimeters in width,even more preferably 15-30 millimeters in height and 2-6 millimeters inwidth, and most preferred approximately 25 millimeters in height (+/−1mm) and approximately 1 millimeters (+/−0.5 mm) in width.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions are30 millimeters in height and 5 millimeters in width and when aligned tothe inter-pupillary distance of a user provide a single image of a ballin high visual acuity.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions are25 millimeters in height and 3 millimeters in width and when aligned tothe inter-pupillary distance of a user provide a single image of a ballin high visual acuity.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions are20 millimeters in height and 1 millimeter in width and when horizontallyaligned to the inter-pupillary distance of a user provides a singleimage of a ball in high acuity.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions areon an external surface, an internal surface or embedded within theoverall optical device to be worn by the athlete.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device is head-wornglasses, goggles, visor, attachment or other visual enhancement devicefor a single user.

According to another preferred embodiment, the transparent regions canbe aligned to a user's head, to compensate for the size, shape anddistance separating the eyes of the user.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device is constructedfrom polymeric materials.

According to another preferred embodiment, the optical polymericmaterials used to construct the device may be colored, patterned,mirrored, polarized or processed for specific vision requirements of theuser.

According to another preferred embodiment, the low-cost polycarbonatesare used to construct the optical device in the form of head-wornglasses, goggles, visors, attachment or other visual enhancement device.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to eyewear systems whereinthe assembly comprises for each lens a lens platform for holding thelens and a lens adjustment mechanism including a lens adjustment dial.Preferably, the lens adjustment mechanism is attached to the eyewearframe. Preferably, the lens platform comprises an elongated portionhaving teeth along its length adapted to interact with a gear havingteeth attached to the lens adjustment dial and turning the lensadjustment dial turns the gear moving the lens platforms relative to thelens adjustment mechanism. Preferably, the lens platform and a componentof the lens adjustment mechanism interlock via corresponding teeth andturning the lens adjustment dial moves the lens platforms relative tothe lens adjustment mechanism.

According to another embodiment, the adjustment assembly comprises atleast one lens adjustment dial having a gear with gear teethcorresponding to teeth on a component holding the lens. Preferably, thelens adjustment dial is on the eyewear frame top. Preferably, the lensadjustment dial is on the eyewear frame front. Preferably, the lensadjustment dial is on the eyewear frame side or back.

Accordingly to another embodiment, the adjustment assembly comprises asliding mechanism and an external knob and each of the at least onetransparent region is adjusted by sliding the knob moving at least oneof the lens or the at least one transparent region. Preferably, the knobis on the eyewear frame top, on the eyewear frame back, or on theeyewear frame front.

Preferably, the adjustment assembly comprises a first component forholding the lens and having a surface having teeth corresponding toteeth on a surface of the eyewear frame or on a surface of a secondcomponent attached to the eyewear frame and the first component and thesecond component are adapted to move horizontally relative to oneanother allowing for the adjustment of the transparent regions relativeto the eyewear frame.

According to another embodiment, the right lens and the left lens areadapted to be inserted onto the eyewear frame and each comprise a lensbody have an elongated tab at one end allowing the lens to be securedonto a nosepiece and arms of the eyewear device. Preferably, the rightlens and the left lens are removable from the eyewear device.Preferably, the right lens and the left lens are flexible. Preferably,the right lens and the left lens are flexed when being inserted onto theeyewear device.

FIGS. 6A-6C show an eyewear system 61 according to one embodiment of theinvention including removable lens 63 having the innovative features andfunctionality of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a front view showingremovable lens 63 inserted onto an eyewear frame 62 (includingconventional eyewear lens). Each removable lens 63 comprises threevertical apertures 65 according to the invention to provide theoptically differentiated field of view for each lens. Each lens 63 isattached to the eyewear device using elongated tabs 66 inserted acrossthe nosepiece 67. Preferably, each lens 63 is configured or adapted tobe manually adjusted by moving each lens closer or farther apart fromthe other in a horizontal movement. Preferably, the end of each lens 63closer to nosepiece 67 is reversibly attached to the eyewear frameeither mechanically, magnetically, using VELCRO™, or similar means.Preferably the other ends of each lens 63 attaches to the side 64 of theeyewear frame 62 either mechanically, magnetically, using VELCRO™, orsimilar means or by the shape of the lens 63. FIG. 6B is a side view ofthe eyewear system 61 of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a rear view of the eyewearsystem 61 of FIG. 6A.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to an eyewear lens systemcomprising a right lens and a left lens each having at least onetransparent region within the lens providing an optically differentiatedfield of view there through and wherein the right lens and the left lensare adapted to be inserted onto the eyewear frame and adjustedhorizontally to align the transparent regions with the inter-pupillarydistance of a user. One preferred embodiment relates to a kitcomprising, in one or more containers, the lens and written instructionsfor using the invention. According to another preferred embodiment, thelens are “clip-on” or “flip-down” lens that either attach to a user'seyewear frame mechanically (e.g., via hooks), magnetically or via otherattachment means.

Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of using the eyeweardevices of the invention to improve the performance of individuals.

One embodiment relates to methods of using the eyewear device of theinvention comprising a user wearing the eyewear device, adjusting thedistance between the vertically aligned transparent regions to alignwith the inter-pupillary distance of the user, and engaging in asporting activity with improved eye-to-ball alignment using the device.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of using aneyewear device comprising a right lens and a left lens, wherein theright lens and the left lens each comprise a vertically alignedtransparent region providing an optically differentiated field of viewthere through, the method comprising horizontally aligning thevertically aligned transparent regions, thereby allowing adjustment ofthe inter-pupillary distance of the viewing regions to a user's head andspecific pupil spacing distance thereby allowing the user to restricthead movement to maintain visual alignment to the ball.

According to one preferred embodiment, the method comprises enhancingsports performance by wearing an optical alignment device that resultsin reduced head movement and/or eye movement in the athlete wearing theoptical device.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprisesimproving sports performance by wearing an optical alignment device inwhich the user aligns the optical viewing regions of each lensindependently to the athlete's inter-pupillary distance and therebyprovides a single image of the ball. This alignment leads to increasedathlete eye to ball alignment and greatly reduced head movement and/oreye movement.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprisesimproving new athletes or junior athletes performance by wearing anoptical alignment device that results in reduced head movement and/oreye movement in the athlete or player wearing the optical enhancementdevice.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprisesimproving or enhancing sports performance by wearing an opticalalignment device comprised of head-worn glasses with vertical aperturesthat are spheres, squares, rectangles, triangles, or slits.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprises teachingor training young athletes by improving eye-ball alignment and reducedhead movement and/or eye movement when wearing an optical alignmentdevice, such as glasses with vertical transparent apertures.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprisesenhancing sports performance by wearing an optical alignment device thatresults in reduced head movement and/or eye movement in the athlete orplayer wearing the optical enhancement device, after horizontaladjustment of the narrow vertical slits in the head-worn glasses.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprisesenhancing sports performance by wearing an optical alignment device thatresults in reduced head movement and/or eye movement in the athlete orplayer wearing the optical enhancement device, after horizontaladjustment of the vertical spherical apertures in the head-worn glasses.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method comprisesenhancing sports performance by wearing an optical alignment devicecomprised of head-worn glasses with vertical apertures that are anexternal layer, an internal layer, or embedded in the optical alignmentdevice or glasses.

Another embodiment relates to a method for using the head-worn opticaldevice by horizontally aligning both the left and right viewing lenses,thereby allowing adjustment of the inter-pupillary distance of theviewing regions to the user's head and specific pupil spacing distance.When the inter-pupillary spacing distance has been optimized, the eye toball alignment sharpens in acuity and requires the athlete to restricthis head movement and/or eye movement to maintain that visual alignmentto the ball. Preferably, the method comprises enhancing sportsperformance by wearing an optical alignment device that results inreduced head movement in the athlete wearing the optical device.Preferably, the method comprises enhancing sports performance by wearingan optical alignment device in which the user aligns the optical viewingregions of each lens independently to the athlete's inter-pupillarydistance and thereby provides a single image of the ball. This alignmentleads to increased athlete eye to ball alignment and greatly reducedhead movement and/or eye movement. Preferably, the method comprisesenhancing new athletes or junior athletes performance by wearing anoptical alignment device that results in reduced head movement and/oreye movement in the athlete or player wearing the optical enhancementdevice. Preferably, the method comprises enhancing sports performance bywearing an optical alignment device comprised of head-worn glasses withvertical apertures that are spheres, squares, rectangles, triangles, orslits. Preferably, the method comprises teaching or training youngathletes by improving eye-ball alignment and reduced head movementand/or eye movement when wearing an optical alignment device, such asglasses with vertical transparent apertures. Preferably, the methodcomprises enhancing sports performance by wearing an optical alignmentdevice that results in reduced head movement and/or eye movement in theathlete or player wearing the optical enhancement device, afterhorizontal adjustment of the narrow vertical slits in the head-wornglasses. Preferably, the method comprises enhancing sports performanceby wearing an optical alignment device that results in reduced headmovement and/or eye movement in the athlete or player wearing theoptical enhancement device, after horizontal adjustment of the verticalspherical apertures in the head-worn glasses. Preferably, the methodcomprises enhancing sports performance by wearing an optical alignmentdevice comprised of head-worn glasses with vertical apertures that arean external layer, an internal layer, or embedded in the opticalalignment device or glasses.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the athlete wearsalignment glasses with a viewing window that allows for an adjustableinter-pupillary distance (IPD) within the narrow vertical viewingregion. The alignment of the vertical viewing regions, on both lenses,allows the athlete to see a clear ‘single’ view of the ball when the IPDhas been optimized for the athlete. This visual alignment forces theathlete's to hold his head in a static viewing position. In this manner,the optical alignment and optical view reinforces the need for reducedhead movement and/or eye movement, during use and during contact withthe ball.

In the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the vertical viewingregion, on each lens, is thirty millimeters (30 mm) or less in thevertical height and five millimeters (5 mm) or less in the width of thevertical opening. In the most preferred embodiment, the vertical viewingregion on each lens is twenty millimeters (20 mm) in the verticaldimension and one millimeter (1 mm) in the viewing width for thetransparent opening. A key element of the invention and all of thevarious embodiments described herein, is the ability to independentlyposition the transparent viewing regions to the users inter-pupillarydistance, thereby allowing a clear ‘single’ view of the ball. This, inturn, allows for an increased eye to ball alignment and reduced headmovement and/or eye movement during use by the athlete.

For athletes, either during training, in practice sessions, or duringactual competition, the device improves eye to ball alignment, reduceshead movement and/or eye movement, and increases the likelihood of a‘clean’ ball strike. In golf, the device can be used especially inputting, chipping, and driving shots, where slight head and/or eyemovements result in poor ball flight and reduced performance. In oneembodiment of this invention, the optical viewing device is a pair ofshaded glasses with three vertical holes in each lens. In a secondembodiment of the invention, the optical viewing device is a pair ofshaded glasses with narrow vertical slits in each lens. In eachembodiment, both the left and right viewing lenses can slidehorizontally, thereby allowing adjustment of the inter-pupillarydistance of the viewing regions to the user's head and specific pupilspacing distance. When the inter-pupillary spacing distance has beenoptimized, the eye to ball alignment sharpens in optical acuity andrequires the athlete to restrict his head movement and/or eye movementto maintain the optimum visual alignment to the ball.

FIGS. 7-9 show ornamental designs for the eyewear systems according theinvention.

FIG. 7A is a side view of one ornamental design according to oneembodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is a front view of the design ofFIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a rear view of the design of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7D is aleft side view of the design of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7E is a right side view ofthe design of FIG. 7A. Alternative ornamental designs according to theinvention include the design of FIGS. 7A-E with the three vertical linesat the ends of temple piece drawn with broken lines. Another alternativeornamental design according to the invention includes the design ofFIGS. 7A-E with the horizontal designs on the nosepiece or the entirenosepiece drawn with broken lines. Another alternative ornamental designaccording to the invention includes the design of FIGS. 7A-E with thetemple pieces drawn with broken lines. An additional alternativeornamental design according to the invention includes the design ofFIGS. 7A-E with the two attachment holes drawn with broken lines. Anadditional alternative ornamental designs according to the inventionincludes the design of FIGS. 7A-E with the vertical slit aperture ineach lens lines replaced with two or three or four or five verticalopenings (similar to FIGS. 9A-9E).

FIG. 8A is a side view of another ornamental design according to anotherembodiment of the invention. FIG. 8B is a front view of the design ofFIG. 8A. FIG. 8C is a rear view of the design of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D is aleft side view of the design of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8E is a right side view ofthe design of FIG. 8A. Alternative ornamental designs according to theinvention include the design of FIGS. 8A-E with the front eyewear framedrawn with broken lines and only the vertical holes and adjustment dialshown in solid lines. Additional alternative ornamental designsaccording to the invention include the design of FIGS. 7A-E with the twoattachment holes drawn with broken lines. Additional alternativeornamental designs according to the invention include the design ofFIGS. 8A-E with the vertical slit aperture in each lens replaced withtwo or three or four or five vertical openings (similar to threeopenings shown FIGS. 9A-9E).

FIG. 9A is a side view of another ornamental design according to anotherembodiment of the invention. FIG. 9B is a front view of the design ofFIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a rear view of the design of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9D is aleft side view of the design of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9E is a right side view ofthe design of FIG. 9A. Alternative ornamental designs according to theinvention include the design of FIGS. 9A-E with the front eyewear framedrawn with broken lines and only the vertical holes and dial shown insolid lines. Additional alternative ornamental designs according to theinvention include the design of FIGS. 9A-E with the two attachment holesdrawn with broken lines. Additional alternative ornamental designsaccording to the invention include the design of FIGS. 9A-E with thethree vertical apertures in each lines replaced with two or four or fivevertical openings or where the openings are circular, oval, rectangular,square, triangular or elongated.

Still further alternative designs according to the invention include thedesigns described above with the adjustment dial placed on the front orback or side of the eyewear frame.

The broken lines shown in FIGS. 7-9 or described above merely illustratethe environment of the design and are not part of the claimed design.The broken lines are for illustrative purposes and form no part of theclaimed design. Moreover, any shading is provided to illustrate contouronly and is not an indication of texture, gloss, etc.

Other embodiments of this invention may be envisioned by those skilledin the art and are anticipated by technical improvements inophthalmology and the visual sciences. Other methods for creating thevertical optical viewing region may also be envisioned by those skilledin the art.

Although the invention has been described relative to specificembodiments thereof, there are numerous variations and modificationsthat will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within thescope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other thanas specifically described.

With respect to the appended claims, unless stated otherwise, the term“first” does not, by itself, require that there also be a “second”.While the particular compositions, formulations, products and methodsdescribed herein and described in detail are fully capable of attainingthe above-described objects and advantages of the invention, it is to beunderstood that these are the presently preferred embodiments of theinvention and are thus representative of the subject matter which isbroadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of thepresent invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may becomeobvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presentinvention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than theappended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular means“one or more” and not “one and only one”, unless otherwise so recited inthe claim.

It will be appreciated that modifications and variations of theinvention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview ofthe appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scopeof the invention.

1. An eyewear device comprising: (i) an eyewear frame; (ii) a right lensand a left lens attached to said eyewear frame; and (iii) an adjustmentassembly, wherein said right lens and said left lens each comprise atleast one transparent region within the lens providing an opticallydifferentiated field of view there through and wherein said adjustmentassembly is adapted to horizontally adjust each of said at least onetransparent region to align with a user's eye pupils and inter-pupillarydistance. 2-5. (canceled)
 6. The eyewear device of claim 1, furthercomprising an adjustment assembly to horizontally adjust eachtransparent region.
 7. The eyewear device of claim 6, wherein saidadjustment assembly comprises an adjustment turning dial to move eachlens horizontally.
 8. The eyewear device of claim 1, wherein saidadjustment assembly comprises a sliding mechanism to move each lenshorizontally.
 9. The eyewear device of claim 1, wherein said right lensand said left lens can each slide to align with the user's eye pupils.10. The eyewear device of claim 1, wherein said right lens and said leftlens are shaded except for said transparent region.
 11. The eyeweardevice of claim 1, wherein said right lens and said left lens comprisingcolor variable polarization materials adapted to generate saidtransparent regions. 12-16. (canceled)
 17. The eyewear device of claim1, wherein each transparent region is comprised of transparent regionshaving a shape selected from the group consisting of spheres, ovals,circles, squares, rectangles, triangles or narrow slits providingspecific regions for eye-ball alignment by the user. 18-24. (canceled)25. The eyewear device of claim 1 wherein the transparent regions are onan external surface, an internal surface or embedded within the overalloptical device to be worn by the athlete. 26-28. (canceled)
 29. Theeyewear device of claim 1, wherein the optical polymeric materials usedto construct the device may be colored, patterned, mirrored, polarizedor processed for specific vision requirements of the user. 30.(canceled)
 31. The eyewear device of claim 1, wherein said assemblycomprises for each lens a lens platform for holding the lens and a lensadjustment mechanism including a lens adjustment dial.
 32. (canceled)33. The eyewear device of claim 31, wherein said lens platform comprisesan elongated portion having teeth along its length adapted to interactwith a gear having teeth attached to said lens adjustment dial andturning said lens adjustment dial turns said gear moving said lensplatforms relative to said lens adjustment mechanism.
 34. The eyeweardevice of claim 31, wherein said lens platform and a component of saidlens adjustment mechanism interlock via corresponding teeth and turningsaid lens adjustment dial moves said lens platforms relative to saidlens adjustment mechanism.
 35. The eyewear device of claim 1, whereinsaid adjustment assembly comprises at least one lens adjustment dialhaving a gear with gear teeth corresponding to teeth on a componentholding said lens.
 36. The eyewear device of claim 1, wherein saidadjustment assembly comprises a sliding mechanism and an external knoband each of said at least one transparent region is adjusted by slidingsaid knob moving at least one of said lens or said at least onetransparent region.
 37. The eyewear device of claim 36, wherein saidadjustment assembly comprises a first component for holding said lensand having a surface having teeth corresponding to teeth on a surface ofsaid eyewear frame or on a surface of a second component attached tosaid eyewear frame and said first component and said second componentare adapted to move horizontally relative to one another allowing forthe adjustment of said transparent regions relative to said eyewearframe. 38-41. (canceled)
 42. An eyewear lens system comprising a rightlens and a left lens each having at least one transparent region withinthe lens providing an optically differentiated field of view therethrough and wherein said right lens and said left lens are adapted to beinserted onto the eyewear frame and adjusted horizontally to align saidtransparent regions with the inter-pupillary distance of a user.
 43. Amethod of using the eyewear device of claim 1, comprising a user wearingthe eyewear device, adjusting the distance between the verticallyaligned transparent regions to align with the inter-pupillary distanceof the user, and engaging in a sporting activity with improvedeye-to-ball alignment using the device.
 44. A method of using an eyeweardevice comprising a right lens and a left lens, wherein said right lensand said left lens each comprise a vertically aligned transparent regionproviding an optically differentiated field of view there through, saidmethod comprising horizontally aligning the vertically alignedtransparent regions, thereby allowing adjustment of the inter-pupillarydistance of the viewing regions to a user's head and specific pupilspacing distance thereby allowing the user to restrict head movement tomaintain visual alignment to the ball.